Characterization of Genetic Modifiers of Estrogen-Induced Mammary Cancer

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to estrogens is considered a major risk factor for development of breast cancer; When treated with estrogen for 28 weeks, ACI rats develop mammary cancers in over 90% of the population at risk. Genetic crosses between the susceptible ACI rat and resistant Copenhagen (COP) or Brown Norway (BN) rats identified a region on chromosome 5 (Emcal) t!%at modified the development of estrogen-induced mammary cancer. To define the role of Emcal in the development of estrogen-induced mammary cancer, a congenic line has been developed (ACI.BN-Emcal) in which the resistant BN allele of Emcal has been introgressed onto an ACI background. Female ACI.BN-Emcal rats treated with estrogen for 28 weeks exhibit a significant decrease in the incidence of mammary cancer in the population at risk, a significant delay in the latency to the development of mammary cancer, and a significant decrease in the number of tumors per rat compared to ACI rats. These data suggest that Emcal is a strong modifier of estrogen-induced mammary cancer. Additional congenic lines, in which the Emcal locus has been divided into smaller regions, have been generated and will be used to further define the region(s) on chromosome 5 and to identify more precisely the gene(s) that modify estrogen-induced mammary cancer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428943

Entities

People

  • Beverly S. Schaffer

Organizations

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Cancer
  • Chromosomes
  • Databases
  • Electronic Mail
  • Estrogens
  • Experimental Design
  • Genes
  • Genetic Phenomena
  • Genetic Structures
  • Genetics
  • Information Operations
  • Neoplasms
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistical Analysis

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology